First half of the 59 butterflies of the UK (almost)

Date: 20/05/2018

Location's 
Fry’s Hill,Battlesbury Hill, Bentley Hill, Cotley Hill, Wyre Wood, Monk wood, Haugh Wood

Species Highlights: 
Pearl bordered Fritillary, Marsh Fritillary, Small Blue, Small Copper, Adonis Blue, Wood White.

Observation: 
Bit of a catch up on our butterflies travels so far this year, after me doing the 59 uk species in 2017 I seem to have inspired Lauren to do the same this year so we’re checking out the normal haunts starting off with a few of the common ones.

This from Our Patch a Painted Lady, this the butterfly that separates me and Lauren at the Moment, she still needs it. Seen on 24/04/2018

The underestimated Orange Tip, Male

Fry’s Hill in Axbridge nr Cheddar always a good Hill and this year no different with Dingy Skipper.

And then the Smaller Grizzled Skipper.

Closely followed by lots of Green Hairstreak. It even landed on our finger.

The following week off down to Battlesbury Hill Nr. Warminster and soon after arriving Lauren spotted a little beauty, a Small Copper and it perched up nicely.

Soon flying closely by were a few Marsh Fritillary 10+ seen, a stunner of butterfly.

Also another to the finger tick list.

Also Duke of Burgundy a new site for me as I normally go to Rodborough Common or Cerne Abbas so pleased to see them in a new spot, at least 3 seen.

Still being early we jumped into van and headed of to Bentley Woods a good site for Pearl Bordered Fritillary and within a few minutes of arriving we soon had added Pbf to our list, weather was quite warm so butterflies not really posing much although we did get a few shots.

After seeing 10 or so we headed back via A36 and stopping at Cotley Hill my favourite site with last year totting up 22 species from this site. 
After parking and walking on to the site we soon saw a few more Marsh Fritillary then a brief view of a Adonis Blue our 4th species of the day, a Adonis Blue then perched up nicely for a few shots.

Small Heath, another tiny beauty.

We walked along the hillside hoping for a Small Blue but on first pass nothing was spotted, we started to do the return route when I spotted the Smallest Small Blue i’d ever seen but before Lauren could get her camera on it it vanished, feeling a bit sad we started heading back to van when again I spotted another, this time she managed a few shots, excellent making the daily total 5 new year ticks for me and 2 new year ticks for Lauren.

Monday today 21/05/2018 we made the trip up to Wrye Wood nr Worcester for a bit more Pearl Bordered action 100 at least but again weather warm and butterflies not playing ball, when they did land they were normally hiding in grass but great to see so many.

Some 20 miles away was Monk wood a new site for us both but what a site for Wood Whites again a 100 or so seen and this time pearching up nicely for some pictures.

Hidden gems,

So our year total stand at me: 25 & Lauren at 24 species with Lauren missing the Painted Lady, still plenty of time,  25 down 34 to go!!

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Cotley Hill Butterflies

Date: 08/05/2017

Location: Cotley Hill

Weather: Blue Skies, 15c
Butterfly Species: 
Green Hairstreak, Dingy Skipper, Grizzled Skipper, Small Copper, Brown Argus, Marsh Fritillary, Red Admiral, Peacock, Green Veined White, Small White, Orange Tip, Small Blue, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Holly Blue, Brimstone

Observation:
With my Butterfly season in full swing another trip to Cotley was required hoping for Marsh Fritillary or Small Blue.
On arriving only a couple of cars in car park so boots on and headed on to hillside Orange Tips & Peacock on path up through and a couple of Common Lizard scurrying from path into undergrowth. Plenty of Green Hairstreaks I'd estimate at 20+ 

 Dingy Skippers also into the 20's 

A few less Grizzled Skippers. 

Good Numbers of Brown Argus also 20+

Followed on around to Horse Chestnut tree also a good spot and lots of Small Heath chasing each other. Met Andy (Plant Man) and got some great info for my other trips, Scotland & the Lakes, Spot on cheers! 
He also mentioned he'd saw Small Blue's further round so headed that way. After a few minutes of looking Species number 18 perched up on forget-me-not!

Only saw one so headed on back around scanning grass and bushes suddenly a Small Copper appeared. Species number 19 only let me get a few snaps and disappeared at speed as they do.

Yellowhammer 

And Linnet calling from trees also, mustn't forget the birds!

Time ticking on thought 
I'd quickly check other side of hill another Butterflyer stood checking something out Marsh Fritillary he said! I chatted keeping my eyes peeled when he said "Its behind you!"

20 Species! Very happy. 
Got a few nice snaps of this stunning Butterfly before it was time to go.
Such a Great place and 16 species seen today.
My target was 20 Species before I head off to Mallorca 10 days to go and 
20 hit..............what next?

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Clouded Yellow Makes It 48!

Date: 30/08/2016

Location: Durlston Head - Arne (Dorset)

Weather: Stunning Blue Skies, Temp 24c

Other Species: 
Durlston Head
Birds: Common Redstart, Spotted Flycatcher, Wheatear, Buzzard, Kestrel, Whitethroat.
Butterflies: Clouded Yellow, Adonis Blue, Common Blue, Meadow Brown, Lulworth Skipper, Speckled Wood, Painted Lady, Small Copper, Wall, Holly Blue, Red Admiral, Large White, Small White

Arne
Osprey, Buzzard, Sandwich Tern, Barn Swallow, Little Egret, Curlew, Oystercatcher.

Observation: 
With many reports of the Clouded Yellow coming in Durlston Head seems favourite and a beautiful day was forecast so off I went. Arrived at 9:30 parking some distance away, FREE and started my walk along the coast towards Durlston after leaving caravan park where footpath took me, saw Small Blues, Painted Ladies, Red Admirals before I'd left the caravans was looking promising!
Cutting up through Townsend Nature Reserve butterflies were fluttering all around me but not target species. Walking along to Durlston Head Reserve I saw plenty of birds too.

Wheatear standing proudly on stone walls also darting around the now cut flower meadow with Common Redstart's and Whitethroat also present.

Back on target and Painted Ladies and Adonis Blues abundant on path towards car parks.

Plenty of these on their second brood about.

As I came over brow a misty Solent and Isle of Wight could be seen.

After chatting with birder and seeing Spotted Flycatchers all seem a bit quiet but kept looking, wandered up past lighthouse and up to car parks, I followed butterfly trail and realised I'd walked in on this trail.... but on turning around I spotted my prey!!

A Clouded Yellow not my best picture as he/she wouldn't keep still followed as long as I could then it disappeared. But species number 48 for me this year, next year the 59!!

A Silver Y moth, so called because of the small Y on it's wings which you can just see here, Seemed to be lots of these about.

This the view across Durlston Bay and Swanage beyond.

At Durlston Castle saw a Wall Brown plus Holly Blue taking Butterfly count for today to 12, 

not bad I thought.

After hunting for a couple more hours around Durlston I started to return to van but not after taking a few shots of the Spotted Flycatcher's who were it seemed catching butterflies too! Watched a group about 5 birds for some time, stunners!

Almost back and earlier in year went in search of the Lulworth Skippers at Durdle Door but a very windy day and not fully convinced I'd seen them left 80% sure I'd seen one. 

But saw 2 mating in last field before I got back, 100% can see small C on wings! 

Excellent 13 now species now!

So still earlier around 1 o'clock so decided to drop into Arne, but on way back was passing the amazing looking Corfe Castle so stopped for a couple of shots.

Had to park in overflow car park but started to wander round. Headed for the Raptor Hide and across Combe Heath which was stunning with heather in full bloom on entering the hide saw I think Osprey through the heat haze very distant and it had it's back to me, very rude! Watched it for half hour when a Buzzard past by and Osprey took off and followed it away.

Walked around all tracks on reserve not seeing an awful lot, maybe heat and mid dayish !?

Walked on to Shipstal beach where most the birds were Oystercatcher, Curlew, Black Headed Gulls, Lesser and Herring gulls but tide out so all distant. Did spot a couple of noisy Sandwich Terns squawking overhead.

While watch a Little Egret put in a brief appearance but apart from Swallows last bird spot of the day.

Common Darter in Car park and I left very happy! Journey back took a bit longer than I'd hoped with it seems accidents on 2 roads making me detour and my Tom Tom not being the best, 2:30 mins! It should be 1:50 but a great day was had.

Gonna do a Butterfly Special with where I saw my 48 in a roundup of my Butterfly year!

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Butterflies On The Mendip Hills

Date: 21/07/2016

Location: Mendips - 3 Sites

Weather: Started Warm, Broken Cloud, Ended Drizzle + Cloudy

Other Species: 
Marbled White, Small Skipper, Larger Skipper, Essex Skipper, Red Admiral, Small Heath, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Green Veined White, Dark Green Fritillaries, Small Copper, Gatekeeper, European Peacock, Chalkhill Blue, Grayling, Common Blue, Small White, Comma - 18 Species 

Observation: 
With a hot tip on some Dark Green Fritillaries headed down on to the Mendips and within 10 mins spotted a couple plus many Marbled Whites and an assortment of Skippers Large, Small and Essex. Main target today were Dark Green Fritillaries, Chalkhill Blues and Grayling so 10 mins in was doing well! 

A great looking Small Copper, seen 2 at Priddy.

But Dark Green Fritillaries take the best butterfly award today ! 

Stunning things as are most Fritillaries..

Wouldn't really stay still as cloud was incoming and sun was disappearing.

But end total was 5.

Turned around and a stunning Emperor Dragonfly (Anax imperator) was perched up! 

Saw a few Dragonflies today Common Darters mostly. But the Emperor being one of UK's largest at 78mm or 3" is a monster!

On the damp ground there were many Green Veined Whites grouped together taking minerals from soil.

Always a bit of grass in the way but Marbled Whites mating. The Marbled Whites were the most abundant here.

Right next year tick, was the Chalkhill Blue so headed the 4 Miles to Draycott Sleights, very cloudy now! But on arriving seem to be only person there, soon spotted a few Chalkhill Blues around 10 or so mostly hiding in grass.

A few other things about, the Silver Y Moth, wonder why it's called that?

A few Stunning a very colourful Peacocks, the fly amazed and probably wished he was a bit more colorful!

Wandered up and down slopes hoping for a clear shot, did bump into some more people also looking but eventually managed a perched Chalkhill! 

Nice next tick was Crook Peak about 7 miles away, it's now raining mmmm not promising!

Rain sort of stopped on arriving, so headed up towards top of Crook's Peak scanning hillside for Grayling but now a bit windy also. Got 3/4 way up just as it flattened out and a Grayling!

One shot and flew! 

So hard to see their camo is amazing against the rock, although this shot he does stand out a bit, luckily!

20 mins of searching about to give up and spotted another with passenger! Trombidium breei the small parasite does not impair flight although a greater number of them can kill the Butterfly. Have seen them before mainly on Marbled Whites.

So 3 year ticks mission accomplished!! My year total now stands at 44 with 4 more to get this year being Clouded Yellow, Brown Hairstreak and Silver Spotted Skipper year ticks and Wood White (second brood) being a new tick.

 I hope to end year on 48. With 2017 being my 50th year my target is the big 59! :)

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